Group Leader: Michelle Garay Throughout the first 61 pages of this book, we've met many characters. The two main ones so far are Quention Jacobsen, who is referred to as Q, and Margo Roth- Spiegelmen. Q has been in love with Margo forever, and since they are neighbors he has a hard time dealing with it sometimes. They have grown farther apart and now have their own groups of friends. Margo is popular and has a boyfriend who goes by the name of Jase, and she later finds out he is cheating on her with Margo's best friend Becca. Things are less dramatic within Q's circle, and the only thing they're stressing over is finding a date to prom. Radar is the weirdest of them, and Ben is closer to Q than Radar is. So far, we like everyone in the book, we find Margo mysterious and funny, which is what her character is presented as. Q on the other hand we find him shy, but a goody-goody who gets good grades and doesn't do anything wrong. So far though he has broken out of his shell though on his adventures with
Margo, but who knows if that will last.
Questions: Michelle Garay 1. Why does Quentin consider it a privilege to live next to Margo? Quentin considers it a privilege because he likes her a lot. It was kind of almost fate that he ended up living next to her because she 's so different, and he considers it a privilege to live next to her and get to know her. 2. Why does Margo not like the view from the SunTrust Building? She thinks that everything from the suntrust building looks fake, or paper, and everyone is just living a lie and not caring about the more important things in life and that no one is living to the fullest. 3. from what we’ve read so far, what kind of outlook does Margo have on life?
Margo is a very deep person and just wants to live and have fun. 4. Why is Q so against going to prom?
Q is mainly against prom because he cannot get a date. 5. What does Margo end up doing to Becca? What did Becca do to Margo in the first place?
Becca cheated with Margo's boyfriend, so Margo rats her out and throws a fish in her room.
Meeting Review: Alyssa Brignola During our book club meeting for Paper Towns by John Green, we discussed the first 61 ages of the book. We brought bagels and talked about Margo and Quentin’s relationship. We also talked about how we think Margo has that cool, mysterious edge and Quentin is the smart, shy guy personality. He kind of that nice guy next door, since they're neighbors and Margo is that person he’ll just never figure out.
Quotes: Gabriela Civiletti
1. "Look at all those cul-de-sacs, the streets that turn in on themselves all the houses that were built to fall apart. All those paper people in their paper houses burning the furniture to stay warm. All the paper kids drinking the beer some bum bought for them at the paper convenience store. Everyone demented with the mania of owning things. All the things paper-thin and paper-frail."
2."Here is this girl I love and cannot follow. And I hope this is the hero's errand because not following her is the hardest thing I've ever had to do"
3."A paper town for a paper girl"
4."You are going to the paper towns. And you are never coming back."
5."That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people would want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste."
Week 2: Language
Group Leader: Michelle Garay
The language Paper Towns portrays can be related to in many ways. The book says and speaks like a teenager would, rather than trying too hard to sound like one. Also we agreed that it has very good quotes that can apply to our lives as teenagers, such as just living and not being tied down to anything and worrying too much. It is very easy to tell the characters apart using language in this book. They all have their own style; Margo is colorful and uses big words while never keeping to herself, while Quentin is always worrying and never speaks his mind. He's quiet and a goofball at times.
Meeting Review: Michelle Garay During the meeting review, we discussed the language in Paper Towns by John Green. Since only Gabby and myself were here today it was a little tough without another opinion, but we agreed that each character had their own language and way of expressing themselves. This is a great book for our age group and makes us laugh and can hold our attention.
Quotes: Alyssa Brignola
page 62: "I'M THE NEW QUEEN OF VOCABULARY! I'VE USURPED YOU!"
page 62: "He'll never know what depilatated him."
page 65: "I'm not going to assume this is a dream."
page 69: "I mean God. Grow some nuts."
page 72: "You're just a really loud, awkward ninja."
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1. Why do you think that Margo had picked Q to help her get revenge on all her friends?
2.What do you think about Q's friends Radar and Ben?
3.If you were Q, would you have gone with Margo that night?
4.If you were to have seen the dead man at the park, how do you think that would affect you?
5.What "social class" do you think that Q and his friends belong in?
Week 3: Mood/ Tone
Meeting Review: Alyssa Brignola:
During this book club meeting, our group discussed the mood and tone of the book. We decided that the mood is some what suspenseful since Margo, Quentin's edgy and mysterious neighbor is missing. At this point in the book Quentin is trying to figure out where she might be and why she left. Margo has left a clues in her room hidden in a book called "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman. She had high-lighted key things in it. He thinks that she would be in New York and when he goes to the address that is on the piece of paper that he found , it leads him to this run down museum where he finds a message on the wall, from Margo.
The book is getting more and more suspenseful and slightly scary. We are all happy with our book choice.
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1. Out of Q's two best friends, who do you think you would get along better with?
2.Why do you think Margo disappears again?
3.Why do you think Margo hides her taste in music?
4.Why do you think Margo leaves so much?
5. Do you think Margo is leaving out of attention?
Week 4: Themes/Images
Quotes: Michelle Garay "Maybe that's all she wanted, for life to go on." - p 185 "Margo was not a miracle. She was not an adventure. She was not a fine and precious thing. She was a girl." - p 199 "And you never thought to ask her about how she was pretty depressed actually? Or why she hung out with you in these sketch-ass places? That never bothered you? - p 205
"Call me selfish, but if I found her, I wanted it to be alone." - p 208
"Leaving feels good and pure only when you leave something important, something that mattered to you. Pulling life out by the roots. But you can't do that until your life has grown roots." - p 234
Themes: Alyssa Brignola
My group and I think that the theme of this book is everything is not what it seems. Quentin never thought of Margo as someone to run away and leave clues in a book. He never would have suspected her to be this secretive, mysterious girl she is now. Another good theme is everyone has there own views on life. Quentin sees himself going to college and having a good future while Margo takes it day by day and lives more in the moment.
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1.Where do you think Margo has gone?
2. Do you think Margo is being dramatic about her whole situation?
3. Why do you think left clues specifically for Q?
4. Why do you think that both Margo and Q found the abandoned mini-mall so comfortable instead of creepy and gross?
5. With not too many helpful clues on where Margo could be do you think you would give up looking for her?
Week 5: Responding to the Text:
Quotes: Alyssa Brignola “GIVE ME SOMETHING OR I WILL PEE ON THIS SEAT. AND HURRY!” Page 248 “God, did you wake up this morning and drink eighteen gallons of water?” Page 250 “Believe me when I say that you did not once cross my mind.” Page 270 “I mean, that was a big damned cow. It wasn’t even a cow so much as it was a land whale.” Page 271 “IM NOT BEING MODEST.I JUST DIDN’T WANT TO DIE!” Page 273 "A paper town for a paper girl.” Page 29
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1.Would you ditch your high school graduation to go on a road trip and look for Margo?
2. Do you think Q is wasting his time looking for Margo?
3.What would you have done differently if you were put in Q's position?
4.How did you feel when everyone finally found Margo and she was being rude to them?
5. At the end of the book, Q and Margo decide to keep in touch and go their separate ways, do you think you
would have been like Margo and travel or do you think you would be more like Q and go to college?
Requirements:
PERSON A - GROUP LEADER - This group member will be responsible for both keeping the group on task throughout the meeting as well as responding to the week's topical questions, listed below.
PERSON C - KEY QUESTIONER - This group member will be responsible for providing 5 open-ended questions regarding the week's reading section. These questions, and their responses, will be posted on the group's wiki.
PERSON D - GROUP SUMMARIZER - This group member will be responsible for posting a thorough, two-paragraph summary of the group's Friday meeting, to be posted on the group wiki no later than the Sunday following the meeting
Groups will decide appropriate penalties for group members who fail to uphold their responsibilities.
NOTE: If your book club has three members, the roles B and C should be combined; if your book club has five members, two students should take the role of C (5 questions each).
Week One:October 1
Topic: Characters (Section 1 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, describe the main characters in your text. What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not? (A)
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Two: October 8
Topic: Language (Section 2 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. I think that this book is a easy read. The story line is perfect for our age group because its stuff that we understand. The author used very modern words, and you can tell that when the age is perfect when the characters make a joke and you actually understand it.
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Three: October 15
Topic: Mood/Tone (section 3 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the mood or tone of your book.What is the overriding emotion of this book? What examples back up your claim? (B)
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Four: October 22
Topic: Themes/Images (section 4 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the themes and images that your book contains. What are some of the images that are used? What do they seem to represent? Why do you think the author uses these images to convey his or her meaning?
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Five: (LAST MEETING) October 29
Topic: Responding to the Text (section 5 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, discuss your final reflections on this book. Would you recommend it to peers? Why or why not? Has this topic been discussed more/less effectively in another book or books? Should this book be considered for the school's curriculum? (B)
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week 1: Characters
Group Leader: Michelle Garay
Throughout the first 61 pages of this book, we've met many characters. The two main ones so far are Quention Jacobsen, who is referred to as Q, and Margo Roth- Spiegelmen. Q has been in love with Margo forever, and since they are neighbors he has a hard time dealing with it sometimes. They have grown farther apart and now have their own groups of friends. Margo is popular and has a boyfriend who goes by the name of Jase, and she later finds out he is cheating on her with Margo's best friend Becca. Things are less dramatic within Q's circle, and the only thing they're stressing over is finding a date to prom. Radar is the weirdest of them, and Ben is closer to Q than Radar is. So far, we like everyone in the book, we find Margo mysterious and funny, which is what her character is presented as. Q on the other hand we find him shy, but a goody-goody who gets good grades and doesn't do anything wrong. So far though he has broken out of his shell though on his adventures with
Margo, but who knows if that will last.
Questions: Michelle Garay
1. Why does Quentin consider it a privilege to live next to Margo?
Quentin considers it a privilege because he likes her a lot. It was kind of almost fate that he ended up living next to her because she 's so different, and he considers it a privilege to live next to her and get to know her.
2. Why does Margo not like the view from the SunTrust Building?
She thinks that everything from the suntrust building looks fake, or paper, and everyone is just living a lie and not caring about the more important things in life and that no one is living to the fullest.
3. from what we’ve read so far, what kind of outlook does Margo have on life?
Margo is a very deep person and just wants to live and have fun.
4. Why is Q so against going to prom?
Q is mainly against prom because he cannot get a date.
5. What does Margo end up doing to Becca? What did Becca do to Margo in the first place?
Becca cheated with Margo's boyfriend, so Margo rats her out and throws a fish in her room.
Meeting Review: Alyssa Brignola
During our book club meeting for Paper Towns by John Green, we discussed the first 61 ages of the book. We brought bagels and talked about Margo and Quentin’s relationship. We also talked about how we think Margo has that cool, mysterious edge and Quentin is the smart, shy guy personality. He kind of that nice guy next door, since they're neighbors and Margo is that person he’ll just never figure out.
Quotes: Gabriela Civiletti
1. "Look at all those cul-de-sacs, the streets that turn in on themselves all the houses that were built to fall apart. All those paper people in their paper houses burning the furniture to stay warm. All the paper kids drinking the beer some bum bought for them at the paper convenience store. Everyone demented with the mania of owning things. All the things paper-thin and paper-frail."2."Here is this girl I love and cannot follow. And I hope this is the hero's errand because not following her is the hardest thing I've ever had to do"
3."A paper town for a paper girl"
4."You are going to the paper towns. And you are never coming back."
5."That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people would want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste."
Week 2: Language
Group Leader: Michelle Garay
The language Paper Towns portrays can be related to in many ways. The book says and speaks like a teenager would, rather than trying too hard to sound like one. Also we agreed that it has very good quotes that can apply to our lives as teenagers, such as just living and not being tied down to anything and worrying too much. It is very easy to tell the characters apart using language in this book. They all have their own style; Margo is colorful and uses big words while never keeping to herself, while Quentin is always worrying and never speaks his mind. He's quiet and a goofball at times.
Meeting Review: Michelle Garay
During the meeting review, we discussed the language in Paper Towns by John Green. Since only Gabby and myself were here today it was a little tough without another opinion, but we agreed that each character had their own language and way of expressing themselves. This is a great book for our age group and makes us laugh and can hold our attention.
Quotes: Alyssa Brignola
page 62: "I'M THE NEW QUEEN OF VOCABULARY! I'VE USURPED YOU!"
page 62: "He'll never know what depilatated him."
page 65: "I'm not going to assume this is a dream."
page 69: "I mean God. Grow some nuts."
page 72: "You're just a really loud, awkward ninja."
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1. Why do you think that Margo had picked Q to help her get revenge on all her friends?
2.What do you think about Q's friends Radar and Ben?
3.If you were Q, would you have gone with Margo that night?
4.If you were to have seen the dead man at the park, how do you think that would affect you?
5.What "social class" do you think that Q and his friends belong in?
Week 3: Mood/ Tone
Meeting Review: Alyssa Brignola:
During this book club meeting, our group discussed the mood and tone of the book. We decided that the mood is some what suspenseful since Margo, Quentin's edgy and mysterious neighbor is missing. At this point in the book Quentin is trying to figure out where she might be and why she left. Margo has left a clues in her room hidden in a book called "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman. She had high-lighted key things in it. He thinks that she would be in New York and when he goes to the address that is on the piece of paper that he found , it leads him to this run down museum where he finds a message on the wall, from Margo.
The book is getting more and more suspenseful and slightly scary. We are all happy with our book choice.
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1. Out of Q's two best friends, who do you think you would get along better with?
2.Why do you think Margo disappears again?
3.Why do you think Margo hides her taste in music?
4.Why do you think Margo leaves so much?
5. Do you think Margo is leaving out of attention?
Week 4: Themes/Images
Quotes: Michelle Garay
"Maybe that's all she wanted, for life to go on." - p 185
"Margo was not a miracle. She was not an adventure. She was not a fine and precious thing. She was a girl." - p 199
"And you never thought to ask her about how she was pretty depressed actually? Or why she hung out with you in these sketch-ass places? That never bothered you? - p 205
"Call me selfish, but if I found her, I wanted it to be alone." - p 208
"Leaving feels good and pure only when you leave something important, something that mattered to you. Pulling life out by the roots. But you can't do that until your life has grown roots." - p 234
Themes: Alyssa Brignola
My group and I think that the theme of this book is everything is not what it seems. Quentin never thought of Margo as someone to run away and leave clues in a book. He never would have suspected her to be this secretive, mysterious girl she is now. Another good theme is everyone has there own views on life. Quentin sees himself going to college and having a good future while Margo takes it day by day and lives more in the moment.
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1.Where do you think Margo has gone?
2. Do you think Margo is being dramatic about her whole situation?
3. Why do you think left clues specifically for Q?
4. Why do you think that both Margo and Q found the abandoned mini-mall so comfortable instead of creepy and gross?
5. With not too many helpful clues on where Margo could be do you think you would give up looking for her?
Week 5: Responding to the Text:
Quotes: Alyssa Brignola
“GIVE ME SOMETHING OR I WILL PEE ON THIS SEAT. AND HURRY!” Page 248
“God, did you wake up this morning and drink eighteen gallons of water?” Page 250
“Believe me when I say that you did not once cross my mind.” Page 270
“I mean, that was a big damned cow. It wasn’t even a cow so much as it was a land whale.” Page 271
“IM NOT BEING MODEST.I JUST DIDN’T WANT TO DIE!” Page 273
"A paper town for a paper girl.” Page 29
Questions: Gabriela Civiletti
1.Would you ditch your high school graduation to go on a road trip and look for Margo?2. Do you think Q is wasting his time looking for Margo?
3.What would you have done differently if you were put in Q's position?
4.How did you feel when everyone finally found Margo and she was being rude to them?
5. At the end of the book, Q and Margo decide to keep in touch and go their separate ways, do you think you
would have been like Margo and travel or do you think you would be more like Q and go to college?
Requirements:
Groups will decide appropriate penalties for group members who fail to uphold their responsibilities.
NOTE: If your book club has three members, the roles B and C should be combined; if your book club has five members, two students should take the role of C (5 questions each).
Week One: October 1
Topic: Characters (Section 1 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, describe the main characters in your text. What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not? (A)
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Two: October 8
Topic: Language (Section 2 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. I think that this book is a easy read. The story line is perfect for our age group because its stuff that we understand. The author used very modern words, and you can tell that when the age is perfect when the characters make a joke and you actually understand it.
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Three: October 15
Topic: Mood/Tone (section 3 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the mood or tone of your book.What is the overriding emotion of this book? What examples back up your claim? (B)
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Four: October 22
Topic: Themes/Images (section 4 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the themes and images that your book contains. What are some of the images that are used? What do they seem to represent? Why do you think the author uses these images to convey his or her meaning?
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page
Week Five: (LAST MEETING) October 29
Topic: Responding to the Text (section 5 out of 5 of your text)
Assignment:
1. On your group's wiki page, discuss your final reflections on this book. Would you recommend it to peers? Why or why not? Has this topic been discussed more/less effectively in another book or books? Should this book be considered for the school's curriculum? (B)
2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques.
3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.
4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page